Rational Decision Making And Its Effect On Crime Causation...

Rational Decision Making and its Effect on Crime Causation Most, if not all Americans, are familiar with the story of Batman and his alter ego Bruce Wayne. As a small child Bruce s parents were brutally gunned down in front of him prompting him to don the cape and mask to rid Gotham city of injustice. In the 2005 movie adaptation starring Christian Bale, Batman is asked why he so selflessly protects the city. He replies, â€Å"It s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.† I believe this illustrates that the decision to do good, and evil, are rational choices made by people who make carefully weighted decisions to accomplish their goals. This is an example of a belief known as Rational Choice Theory. Today I would like to discuss Rational Choice Theory, its origins in history, its methods to predict and eliminate crime and examples of it from modern cases. I would like to show the reader, beyond reasonable doubt, that Rational Choice Theory is the best way to explain the majority of crimes and criminal activity. Rational Choice theory is defined by Criminology:The Core as being, â€Å"The view that crime is a function of a decision making process in which the potential offender weighs the potential costs and benefits of an illegal action†(2015). Rational choice Theory firmly believes that the majority of crimes are calculated acts. This theory also states that to deter crimes, society must make the risks of crime outweigh the gains. This will, in theory, solveShow MoreRelatedTheories of Crime Causation Essay example1589 Words   |  7 PagesMajor Theories of Crime Causation Robert Lincoln CJ 102-02 Kaplan University August 4, 2013 Major Theories of Crime Causation Various units contain a number of theories that try to explain the causes of crime in the society. 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